A need based approach for Climate Smart Agriculture

1. A need based approach for Climate Smart Agriculture Some new ideas in the Post – Paris CoP context Dr. KiritShelat National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership (NCCSD) Post Box No. 4146, Navrangpura Post Office, Ahmedabad – 380 009. Gujarat, INDIA. Phone: 079-26421580 (Off) 09904404393(M) Email:drkiritshelat@gmail.com Presented to the Honourable Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi

2. A need based approach to enable Climate Smart Agriculture In support of India’s mission for Inclusive growth A public policy perspective to strengthen India’s strategic systems & For locally adapted & community centered economic and eco system benefits Pesented to the Hon’blePrime Minister of India Ten important cross cutting suggestions: “Design for success” National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

3. Inclusive growth through Climate resilient agriculture: 7 aspects • Recognize the unique ability of crops to capture carbon dioxide: Photosynthesis that develops value added food products • Implement micro level plans: Integrate soil, water and bio-resources management • Promote expansive and efficient agriculture: Improve profiles of land for better productivity • Ensure economic sustainability and livelihood options of farmers • Use state of art and multiple tools of knowledge economy • Establish enabling circumstances: Ensure access to alternatives • Build on locally adapted knowledge systems for easy to implement mitigation and adaptation actions.

4. Two areas of India’s leadership • Soil Health cards • Significant impacts on crop choice, yield and improved incomes • Can integrate water and bio resources management seamlesssly • Krishimahosav model • Public leadership demonstrated • Use e-media tools along with hands on capacity building for local action. • Target fragile areas on a priority basis and support NICRA more forcefully • Countries in South Asia can benefit from India’s experiences

5. Immediate considerations Reverse reduction in rate of growth Recover growth rate through an integrated focus: • Reduce • Poverty • Regional imbalance • Differential employment between urban and rural areas • Enhance 4) Environment sustainability including green cover atleast in a million hectares 5) Skills 6) Delivery of public services • Soil health and productivity • Focus on small and marginal holders

6. 7 overarching dimensions Overall growth rate-8% with Agriculture - 4% Poverty reduction by 2% per annum Focus on small & marginal farmers for poverty Reduction Focus on woman farmers and Rural youth Removal of group inequality Emphasis on focused approach on remote and Tribal areas Farmer at the centre of all agriculture Enhance growth rate, bridge the gap Related programmes between states, within states , between talukas and villages – approach at farmers’ doorsteps. v. Environment sustainability Income from Agriculture should increase irrespective adverse impact of climate change. vi. Education Increase in agriculture technical manpower with private & Public partnership vii. Delivery of public services Agriculture Extension at farmers doorsteps, and availability of quality seeds, market link, value edition, micro enterprise and village level industries with integration of activities of different Ministries related to agriculture National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

7. There are dangerous consequences – but there are solutions within the reach Impact of disparity Enhanced social turmoil, spread of Naxalism, threat to democratic system / food security Inflation and reduced demand for non-farm products. Can being GDP further down Now is the time to turn around situation by taking some effective decisions and get them implemented across length and breadth of Country. India possesses capacity to do so and now has the direction to turn adversity to an opportunity. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

8. Need based and value added strategies for locally relevant economic development & natural resources management as part of SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT

9. CHALLENGE TO AGRICULTURE EXTENSION ADMINISTRATION CURRENT SITUATION • On July 2, 2006, Prime Minister of India, initiated Vidarbha region of Maharashtra to meet farmers • Region affected by farmers suicides • In one year more than 800 deaths due to suicide • Similar situation prevails in other progressive states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab. • More than 10,000 suicides by farmers between 2001-06 STRANGE PARADOX • Indian economy doing well at GDP around 8% growth rate • Poverty in rural areas declined from 80% prior to independence to 20% • Country was earlier depending on imports of food grains but has now attained self-sufficiency and is also able to export some agro produce. • Total production of food grains reached 204.6 million tonnes signifying over all growth • Despite all this, farmers’ suicides 

10. Interrelated Potential social fabric disruption • In the same village, with similar land conditions and the same crop • Some farmers make profits • Other incur losses due to crop failure, several educated young farmers resort to devious and brutal means and even wed Naxalism • Problem grows into related areas of livelihood, survival, sustainability and security • Naxalism not a new movement • It has taken deeper roots in many parts of the country. • In 2003 – 55 districts, 2004 – 150 districts, 2010 – 170 district – 1/3 of the country covered. • Naxalism due to poor management / access to resources and economic distress is a live time bomb • Naxalism has already affected the democratic systems of Panchayati Raj in several districts. • This is a major threat to the constitutional framework of the democratic system of our country.

11. Adversity to advantage: Some perspectives on agriculture & Climate change Agriculture in our country is indeed growing significantly. Although the growth is not high, it is steady. GDP growth is likely to be 8.2% for the 11th Plan period. Average annual growth rates of agriculture and allied sector during the first four years of 11th Five Year Plan is estimated at 3.2%. This is an improvement on the earlier plans at 2.2%. Significant development at 4% in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and above that Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Several others at 2% and lesser levels & so the disparity is high. However due to global warming and climate change, growth in entire agriculture sector is under threat. This is a world wide phenomenon. Soil Erosion and salinity ingress are significantly affecting productivity. With appropriate planning, policy framework & certain effective programmes this situation can provide an opportunity to our country. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

12. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership Immediate challenges in agriculture: A Snap shot • India seems to have achieved self sufficiency to meet her requirement of food and also a surplus for exports • Micro level growth in agriculture is however far behind the service and industry sector. • This is so over the last two decades. Since the seventies Green revolution brought fruits to farmers, • But poor small and marginal farmers did not get benefit. • Farmers / people left-out of the development process needed immediate and sustained attention The Government of India • Introduced • A special programme for assistance of small and marginal farmers – SFDA programme 1975-80 • The Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP). (1980) & • Strengthened the National Extension Programme . • Focussed on individual poor family, particularly farmers and artisans. • VLW provided technical assistance. • Special subsidy with back up bank credit. • Poverty on decline. But individual approach has abandoned by farmers and rural development. • More than 30% on average were left behind. • In some areas this proportion is greater. • There are areas where there is spread of Naxalism and Maoist movement.

13. Specifics of the “LEFT OUT OF DEVELOPMENT” PROCESS • In 90s, focus of IRDP shifted to non-farm activities / SHGs under the new banner SGSY & SGRY. • A very large segment of Poor farmers no longer received special individual attention and still continued to remain poor. NSSO report on farmers indicated high debt ratio • Andhra Pradesh 82% (this was changed • Tamil Nadu 72% after writing off • Punjab 65% debts by Union • Kerala 64% Government) • Karnataka 61% • Gujarat 51% • The VLWs and Extension team did not bother about poor farmers. • Focus shifted to farmers who can obtain assistance on their own. • As a result, poor farmers were left behind and did not share fruits of overall growth with increase in discontent among their young educated children. 13

14. “LEFT OUT” OF DEVELOPMENT & THE UNFINISHED AGENDA • Don’t have access to new technology and information • Extension Administration did not bother about poor farmers • Lack of control on quality seeds and inputs • No basic guidance for selection of crop to be grown in rain fed areas based on soil health. • Other reasons: • Mortgage of land by farmers to private money lenders/local dealers • Poor farmers started imitating wealthy farmers who had water resource and new technology, and failed. • Result: farmers suicide & spread of Naxalism

15. Push & Pull on FARMERS Preparedness to Act FINDINGS Of the NSS-59TH ROUND (PUBLISHED IN JULY 2005) Huge gaps • Awareness on technical and institutional development 18% • Farmers liking farming 60% • Seed replacement 30% • Using of testing Labs for seeds, fertilizer etc 2% • Accessing knowledge about technology 40% • From Extension Administration 21% • Input dealers 23% • Related shortage of trained professionals • Only 207 Agriculture colleges in the country • Yearly intake: Agriculture • Undergraduate 10,049 • Postgraduate 1,544 • PhD 570 • While in other disciplines • Science 20,31,100 • Engng’ & Tech 16,700 • Medicine 3,13,500

16. Cross sector & Cumulative Impact Disastrous consequences if proper care is not taken: Current growth rate of 2% to 3% may reduce further Create problems of food security for the country Enhance already high inflation & Create greater dissatisfaction / disharmony. Many small farmers will slide again below the poverty line. Educated rural youth will be more frustrated as their urban counter parts may enjoy higher income & prosperity. Perhaps enhance Naxalism / Social turmoil. Loss of livelihood Setbacks to social and economic development. Increased risk of diseases outbreak Damage to infrastructure and communication particularly in rural areas. Could endanger political stability. Overall setback to entire economy. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership 16

17. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Common definition: Pattern of natural resource use to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also in the indefinite future. Context of developing nations: Specific meaning with well known implications. It is a long term activity; with significant socio - economic relevance; involves use of natural resources and implies economic growth. Provide enough for one’s needs to live / exist. Continued......... National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

18. Continue to have the essential resource without becoming less. Includes gradual growth in income for a better quality of life to all with focus on families below poverty line and remote areas. It provides safety- net in time of unforeseen climatic change with adverse impact by way of re-capturing losses and providing employment. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

19. NATIONAL MISSIONS The Government of India has introduced series of Missions like: “National Mission for Sustainable Development”. (Ministry of Agriculture) National Mission for Agriculture Extension (Ministry of Agriculture) Mission for Sustainable livelihood (Ministry of Rural Development) The outcomes of these missions have to be stronger and directly benefit communities. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership 19

20. PART - II Value added scheme For Rapid Rural and Agricultural Development with focus on poor families. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership 20

21. SCHEME - ISmall Farmer Development AgencyA New Initiative The new SFDA needs to be more of scientific, technology and information communication organization linked with the proposed “KrushiVigyanPrasar” and Integrating Existing District Agriculture Office, ATMA, KVK and NABARD’s farmer clubs. It should also provide small farmers: Soil & Moisture analysis information to the poorest on a priority basis in Farm Card. Facilitation for Bank Finance & Subsidy Crop related guidance including market price & quality of product in demand Expertise on Adaptation measures needed & Link to supply chain for inputs and demand chain for their products; disburse subsidy including free inputs and provide link with Banks - Kisan Credit Card. Implement door-step approach to farmers at village in pre-Khariff season& Monitor and inspect spurious seeds and fertilizer-mix and pesticides. This can be a new initiative of Ministry of Agriculture. 21

22. SCHEME – II New SchemeLink Project for Sustainable Livelihood Programme • There is a need to identify skills and local asset human and link them with outside demand and local opportunity for micro enterprise and protected agriculture. • focus on poor families and rural youth and women , but reality failed to deliver concrete results. • identify demand of manpower and outsourcing. From adjoining urban centres. • Identify needs/gaps in services at village level • Identify potential for agri-based industries - Sorting, grading, packaging, transport, Local Processing - Agro service centers Support Soil health and moistures analysis centres. • Identify opportunities in adjoining Urban centre/Ind. Centre related: - Service Enterprise - Supply of fruits/vegetables/grains - Supply of manpower – skilled and un-skilled - out-sourcing of work which can be done at village level.

23. SCHEME - IIIDENTIFY LOCAL ASSETS Identify youth with focus on young female member within the poor family Focusing on • Educational base • Traditional skill available • Mobility • Link this with needs of village and adjoining urban/industries. • Identify gaps in skills and suitably build capacities in addition to helping access from outside. • Link demand with available manpower by adding value in skills and knowledge by use of knowledge economy • This will enhance their income.

24. SCHEME - IIITALUKA LEVEL ACTION PLAN A New Initiative Need to prepare simple, implementable Taluka – level Plan for Sustainable & Climate Resilient Agriculture. This should integrate programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Rural Development at the local level and Ministry of Water Resources. The NRM Division – ICAR through CRIDA has developed the “Contingency Plan for Weather Aberrations” for more than 100 districts. The Anand Agricultural University has prepared such plan for 5 Districts of Gujarat as a part of this initiative. Contd…. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

25. SCHEME – IIITALUKA LEVEL ACTION PLAN Taluka level is a pre-requisite as districts have ( as in Gujarat and elsewhere) more than one agro climatic zone. The first taluka level plan has to be prepared under expert guidance. The most important part of this plan is to give every Taluka a growth target to bridge gap between average & optimum productivity at local – village level. We must note that India has the capacity, knowledge – research and experiences but it is not uniformly distributed. In-fact this must be made available to each village / farmer. A special focus should be to help the poor farmer use the knowledge & On women farmers with appropriate inputs recognizing the invaluable role they play. Contd …. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership 25

26. SCHEME - IIITALUKA LEVEL ACTION PLAN Important parameters. Production plan for agriculture sector as a whole. Needs for inputs Schematic needs – integrating existing schemes Water Shed Development & Sustainable Livelihood of Rural Development Department and Agriculture Development. Identification of below poverty line and provide support individually. & sustainable livelihood opportunities from local agriculture for micro enterprise and employment. Gaps between average & optimum productivity of crops and milk yields and bridging them Soil Health Moisture Analysis Card to every farmer Convergence, watershed programme, KVKs, ATMA, SAUs. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership 26

27. SCHEME – IV SOIL HEALTH & MOISTURE ANALYSIS CARD to every small farmer (follow Gujarat Approach) A new scheme under Ministry of Agriculture CLIMATE RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: Sustainable livelihood means..... Provide enough to leave or exist It does not become less There is gradual increase in income for better quality of life. It provides safety- net in time of unforeseen climatic change with adverse impact by way of re-capturing losses and providing employment CLIMATE RESILIENT AGRICULTURE MEANS…… Despite change in climate and its adverse impact on crops/animals income to farmers should not decrease. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

28. IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SOIL/LAND It is now realized that the impact of climate change is on Mother Earth the land or its content the soil. The increase in temperature is absorbed by soil Lack of rainfall or less rainfall reduces its moisture content Heavy rain or floods thrush has been out its upper crust All these affects fertility of soil and its capacity sustain even existing crop- pattern. These in turn affect productivity with low yield or crop failure. This is the cause of decline in food production in the world and danger to food security to hungry millions Continued............. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

29. Therefore, the arena of climate change Soil & Moisture analysis, even if done in past, needs to be taken up again to identify sustainable crops to meet concurrent impact of climate change and produce more and reduce crop failures. This can be initially at village/block based but in reality land texture and structure varies from survey number to survey number in a village – all lands are not plains – there are un-dulatry terrain and internal variation. Hence it has to be individual survey number based for individual farmer. In that way individual farmer can be guided – by written guidance National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

30. SCHEME - VIntegrated River Basin Management and Participatory minor Irrigation Programme A New Scheme Under Ministry of Rural Development replacing watershed approach • River Basin Management - “Process of coordinating conservation, management and development of water, land and related resources across sectors within a given river basin.” • An integrated approach using the whole river basin as a basis for holistic & sustainable planning, can provide a good solution to ensure Economic, Social and Environmental sustainability and ensure Food & Water security. Contd ….

31. SCHEME – VIntegrated River Basin Management and Participatory minor irrigation programme Participatory Approach Current watershed programme is an old, but successful approach, but over years, it has become “Structure oriented” and operating in ‘Isolation’ and as separate entity. This has to be integrated with objective of increase in income of participants and bridging gap of productivity between them. This needs to be replaced by 1. Integrated River Basin Management 2. Participatory check dam/ponds (Gujarat Approach) Contd ….

32. Scheme - vParticipatory check dam & Community pondsMassive programme. Gujarat constructed more than 200000 check dams in last decades under participatory scheme. This turned around agriculture rainfed areas. At national level, this needs to be replicated and use every drop of water which is received. Every state can be given target of 50,000 check dams - 10,000 every year. contd ….

33. SCHEME – V River Basin River basin as a Planning and implementation unit under watershed programme. • A natural unit with watershed boundary • A unit sharing common water resources • Every block must have one project before end of 12th Plan by coordinating with Ministry of Water Resources

34. SCHEME – VI AGRO INDUSTRIES IN VILLAGES • Agro industries based in villages can play a major strategic role • Provide local employment, better price to agri produce and support wealth creation in areas that have been affected by internal conflicts, natural catastrophes or out-migration resulting from uneven development. • Reduce migration, alleviate social pressures and demands on public services within the city. Focus on rural areas to improve infrastructure (as in Gujarat)

35. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership SCHEME – VII WASTELAND & WETLAND DEVELOPMENT A New Initiative • Effective implementation of wasteland and wetland development polices in 12th plan envisages additional green coverage by one million hectare. • The country has wasteland of 1.30 million hectares. This is mainly saline; in inland areas and in the margins of deserts. In addition to this, there are huge un-surveyed areas on margin of desert. • Wetland is an area of land where soil is saturated with moisture permanently or seasonally covered by sea water. • Nearly 25 lakh hectares of waste land are in our country. A majority of such land is not surveyed and is spread along the huge coast line of the country. • Contd…..

36. SCHEME – VII Wetland Development Wetlands may be converted into major production areas for sea food - fisheries, vegetation, and medicinal plants with changing management practices for production of rice to reduce anaerobic decomposition that is the major source of methane. All these have huge internal and external markets and will be a great support for food security Technology is available for salinity resistant crops, trees including horticulture. This could be fruitfully grown in these areas providing sustainable livelihood. This will enhance cultivable areas contd.. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

37. SCHEME – VIIWasteland – Wetland Development A private-public partnership programme may introduced by following initiatives. States may take wasteland development through Public-private will be given added incentives. Development of wasteland will be accepted as a part of CSR of Companies under IT Act. While giving license for new area under mining, licensee will sign an agreement to compensate area lost by taking up equal wasteland. Similarly for large urban and Industrial township as well expansion of urban area for Urban Development Authorities. Currently there is a department within the Ministry of Rural Development which exists without making any significant contribution. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

38. SCHEME - VIIIKrishiVigyanPrasar at Taluka Level A New Initiative KrishiVigyanPrasar is a specific need of our centre for communication of Science and technology to farmers. This can be part of Central Research Institute and this will have Knowledge Bank of : • Existing research and development experiences existing in the different parts of the country, ICAR, SAUs, State Governments. cooperatives NGOs and both private & public organizations. • Empirical experiences to progressive farmers. • International experiences that exist in many parts of the world including countries like Israel, China & Japan. contd…..

39. SCHEME – VIIIKrishiVigyanPrasar • It can compile and disseminate all information related to climate change • its adverse impact, remedial measures - to all tehsils through a Centralized Computer net-working system. • It will also have linkage with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), District level Meteorological stations of Ministry of Earth Care and could track details of local level changes in climate and pass it on for analyses and feedback to research stations of different crops of ICAR and SAUS. This centre can be a link with SAUs and KVKs ATMA and Local level State Extension Services. This can in turn be linked directly with village based computer networks wherever feasible or • This will be direct link with small farmer development agency

40. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership SCHEME – IX URBAN AGRICULTURE A New Initiative • There is need to promote Urban Agriculture • This exists almost with majority of urban households who have some open land. • Even in the multistory building, there is some kind of tree growing, grasses or ornamental plants. • Even people staying in the flats like to keep plants in pots in lobby area. • But there is a gap about knowledge of agricultural practices, what plants they should grow and how to treat them. There are no urban agriculture extension centers or even Agro Service centers where such guidance could be available along with basic inputs of seeds, fertilizers, farm equipments • contd…

41. SCHEME – IXURBAN AGRICULTUREOPEN AREAS IN URBAN CENTRES Increasing urbanization and development of infrastructure, highways, express highways and railways has led to reduction of cultivable land. Due to abnormal increase in land prices, there is an increasing tendency by land developers and now even retail investor to invest in land on outskirts of even small urban centres or developed villages. If one looks at metropolitan towns like Mumbai, Ahmedabad or Hyderabad land obtained as an investment are spread over approximately 50 to 100 Kms on outskirts of such cities. This has a massive impact on resulting such lands as fallow land. Town Planning rules need to develop a policy for minimum requirement of plantation of perennial crops on all such open areas of housing, business centers, Infrastructure projects and manufacturing activities before granting building use permission. Similarly whenever an agriculture land is to converted to non-agriculture land, NA permission must provide for minimum plantation and green cover. It can also be thought for say 5% from development charges under TP scheme or premium charges for NA permission to be year mark and made available for expanding vegetative cover on waste land for which a public-private partnership scheme could be introduced. The Ministry of Urban Development need to issue directive to Urban Municipal & Development bodies – including Industries and Mining Township. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

42. Women now occupy 90% of farming including cattle management This is in addition to their household work, looking after children's education and household purchase Women farmers therefore need better tools – to work both at home and in farm. Tools, which are efficient, reduce time and drudgery They need to be provided Extension at door step – even All India Radio/ TV can play this role and guided about climate resilient agriculture and market trends of agriculture produce. Their name should be registered on land records and subsidy should be disbursed to them directly. Scheme – xNew scheme for WOMEN FARMERS National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

43. SCHEME – XI NEW EXTENSION MISSION

44. The challenge to sustainable development is not about lack of knowledge and research. We have all these. But we are not able to transfer this to all farmers, all villages of our country. We are faced with the challenge of a growing gap in productivity between average and optimum production between one farmer and another in the same location with similar condition. The challenge is to know reasons for such gaps and bring them. The example of Anand Block of Gujarat is illustrative. Gap in Productivity between Average and Optimum Production National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

45. Mandvi-Rukmavati River Basin Current Agricultural Crops – area

46. Statement on Crop wise average yield and Optimum yield ANAND BLOCK – GUJARAT - INDIA Continued....... National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

47. Source : District Agriculture Office, Anand (2010-11) National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

48. EXTENSION MISSION EXTENSION: Dictionary meaning “Increasing influence”. In practice it means providing information which can be used. In case of farmers/animal holders/fisheries providing information is related to their actual field level operations like farm practices, animal/ health care, so on & so forth which they can use to improve their productivity. Mission To bridge the gap of productivity between different farmers users - For example in the same village, with similar soil condition and water resources – one farmer with use of quality input and right fertilizer and nutrient mix, select a crop which gives profitable yield and income while other farmers finds crop failure or low productivity. The later, farmer does spend same money but does not use right kind of input. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

49. EXTENSION MISSION Improve links by providing right information to every farmer to tackle gaps in productivity (refer 11thplan gap in growth rates between 7.6% in M P and Chhattisgarh, Punjab 1.6% and Himachal Pradesh 1.1%) Provide information about new technology and growing market with use of knowledge economy &. challenges / measures to tackle climate change impacts Focus on women farmers who have now replaced male farmers because they have become labourersunder government scheme or in adjoining urban centre. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership

50. CURRENT CHALLENGES – AGRI EXTENSION AND ADMINISTRATION No village level contact by Agri Extension Administration. Health, Education and rural development Department have village level functionary and direct rapport with individual beneficiary. No village level leadership- elected and non-elected responsible for Agri Extension. Rural l development department have entrusted specific Sarpanch of villages and village Panchayats have specific responsibility. Small and marginal farmers who are left out of development benefits and are poor, need direct assistance and guidance knowledge of new cost effective technology to improve productivity, reduce cost and price of their produce. National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership